SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's lacrosse team put a huge scare into the IWLCA #8 Ithaca Bombers on Friday night, but the Dutchwomen's valiant upset bid came up just short as the Bombers escaped with a wild 24-22 victory at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
In a game filled with stellar offensive performances, sophomore Sydney McPartlon (five goals, one assist) and senior Lindsay Gerrato (four goals, two assists) led the Dutchwomen with six points each, with Gerrato also adding a game-high 14 draw controls and a team-best three ground balls. Junior Grace Heiting added four goals an assist while senior Isabel Bush and sophomore Drew Charlton both had hat tricks to contribute to Union's 22-goal performance.
 
Jacqui Hallack had a tremendous game for Ithaca, scoring nine goals on 12 shots and adding 13 draw controls. Megan Motkowski added three goals and three assists while Madison Boutureira chipped in four goals and a helper as well for the visitors, who remain unbeaten on the year.
 
The 46 combined goals are the most in a game in program history, surpassing the previous record of 41 set in a 22-19 loss to Hamilton College on April 19, 1997. Union's 22 tallies are tied for the most by the team since scoring 23 against Utica College on March 3, 2003.
 
Led by Hallack, Ithaca (7-0) looked as if it was going to run away with the game early, jumping out to an 8-2 lead and maintaining an 11-5 advantage with 13:32 to go in the half. But the Dutchwomen stayed resilient and used a 6-1 run to get back into the contest, as a mix of stellar defense and offensive production across the board helped Union cut the deficit to one before a Boutureira tally gave Ithaca a 13-11 lead at the half. 
 
In the second half, the Dutchwomen and Bombers continued to display their offensive firepower as Ithaca outscored Union 6-5 in the opening 10 minutes. But with 18:25 left in the contest, Union mounted a comeback as Heiting, Bush, and McPartlon combined for four straight goals to tie the game at 20. After Motkowski put Ithaca back on top, Gerrato tied the score with 10:36 to go before sophomore Dana Truini gave Union its first lead of the night at 22-21 with 7:22 remaining.
 
That was the last goal Union scored on the night, however, as Boutureira scored again to the score and Hallack scored her eighth and ninth goals of the night to take a two-goal lead to put Ithaca ahead for good.
 
Goalies were kept busy at both ends of the field, as Union finished the night with a 48-41 edge in shots. Junior Jenna Paszek made 11 saves for Union, while Mackenzie Schade and Kayla Howley combined to stop 17 shots for the Bombers.
 
Union will return to action next Friday with a non-conference game at Vassar College starting at 4 p.m.